SalaryByCity

Computer Hardware Engineers vs First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Computer Hardware Engineers

$155,020

Median annual salary

75,710 employed nationally

First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers

$47,320

Median annual salary

1,113,160 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $107,700 more per year than First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers professionals — that's 227.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $76,560 for First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers.

Salary Range Comparison

Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$31,120 – $76,560
$31,120$223,820

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileComputer Hardware EngineersFirst-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales WorkersDifference
10th Percentile$85,430$31,120+$54,310
25th Percentile$115,500$37,580+$77,920
Median (50th)$155,020$47,320+$107,700
75th Percentile$185,380$60,510+$124,870
90th Percentile$223,820$76,560+$147,260
Mean (Average)$156,770$52,350+$104,420

Employment Numbers

Computer Hardware Engineers

75,710

employed nationwide

First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers

1,113,160

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Computer Hardware Engineers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$197,090
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$174,070
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$172,920
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$170,570
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$169,230

Best Cities for First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers

CityMedian
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$60,320
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$60,260
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$58,320
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO$57,440
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$57,160

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $107,700 (227.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Hardware Engineers?
Computer Hardware Engineers salaries range from $85,430 (10th percentile) to $223,820 (90th percentile), with a median of $155,020.
What is the salary range for First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers?
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers salaries range from $31,120 (10th percentile) to $76,560 (90th percentile), with a median of $47,320.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 1,113,160 First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers earns $47,320. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS